PDI Perjuangan wants recall mechanism<\/p>\n
I Wayan Juniarta and Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post,
\nKuta, Bali<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nconcluded its three-day meeting on Friday with a controversial
\nproposal to revive the recall mechanism at the House of
\nRepresentatives in its aim to inculcate discipline among its
\ndissident legislators.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto, the secretary-general of PDI Perjuangan, said at a
\nnews conference before the three-day meeting's close that the
\nproposed revival of the mechanism was one of 16 important points
\nrecommended to the party to be followed up in the near future.<\/p>\n
\"The proposal came from members of the party's executive
\nboard, winning the support of the forum during the plenary
\nsession and should be taken as one of the meeting's
\nrecommendations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto explained that the party was in urgent need of re-
\nestablishing the recall mechanism at the House to allow political
\nparty leaders the right to dismiss legislators who breach their
\nparties' policies.<\/p>\n
The proposal surfaced in line with numerous political agenda
\nin the legislature that requires the solidarity of party
\nlegislators in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan has been criticized for forcing its legislators
\nin the House and provincial and regency legislatures to fully
\nsupport the party's leadership policy.<\/p>\n
Two prominent cases in which PDI Perjuangan's legislators were
\nforced to comply with the party's policies were Megawati's
\nsupport for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's re-election for a second
\nterm of office and the party's rejection of the investigation
\ninto the Rp 40 billion Buloggate, which implicates House Speaker
\nAkbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri who chairs PDI Perjuangan has
\nbeen widely criticized for ignoring the political aspirations of
\nthe party's legislators because of her authoritative character.<\/p>\n
With the advent of the reform era, the recall mechanism was
\nphased out from political laws since it had been abused by
\npolitical party leaders during the 32-year New Order era to
\ndismiss outspoken legislators.<\/p>\n
In the party's annual meeting held at Senayan Sport Stadium
\nlast year, Megawati also lambasted outspoken legislators, saying
\nthat they gained House seats through the party.<\/p>\n
The party has been rocked by prolonged internal friction
\nfollowing claims of undemocratic decision-making process in the
\nparty.<\/p>\n
Three legislators --Sophan Sophiaan, Dimyati Hartono and
\nIndira Sugondho -- have quit because of Megawati's leadership and
\nwhat they said was undemocratic decision-making process in the
\nparty.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, PDI Perjuangan cannot enjoy a recall mechanism
\nin the near future as it was not regulated in the political
\nbills.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto who was accompanied by his deputy Pramono Anung
\nWibowo and PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Mangara Siahaan, said
\nthat the party was also ready to make the Assembly's annual
\nsession scheduled for Aug. 1 until Aug. 12, a success.<\/p>\n
\"The party will throw its full support behind a direct
\npresidential election and other crucial issues in the amended
\nConstitution in its endeavor to avoid a deadlock,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He did not comment on when the amended Constitution would take
\neffect. Many worry that the party will support the enforcement of
\nthe amended Constitution in 2009, instead of 2004.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-perjuangan-wants-recall-mechanism-1447893297",
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